Meet Utah's NHL Player: Who is Barrett Hayton

SALT LAKE CITY – With the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season just around the corner, it’s time for fans to familiarize themselves with the roster to better understand who will be donning the Utah jersey and what to expect from Barrett Hayton when the puck officially drops in Salt Lake City in October.

The next player profile is about the club's top center, Barrett Hayton, who helps fans get to know the Utah Hockey Club roster.

Barrett Hayton from Utah

Hayton is a 24-year-old center from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. After being selected No. 5 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, Hayton recently signed a two-year contract extension with the franchise in the offseason worth $2.65 million per year.

Full story: Utah Hockey Club agrees to a two-year contract with striker Barrett Hayton

But before moving to the NHL, Hayton played for various teams during his youth, winning a number of personal and team awards that eventually earned him a selection in the organization's top five.

Junior career

During his youth career, Hayton played for the Peterborough Petes and Toronto Red Wings of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. He also played for the Upper Canada College team from 2015 to 2016. At age 15, Hayton scored 73 points in 59 games for the Red Wings before being selected No. 9 overall in the OHL Draft by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

In his first two seasons with the Greyhounds, Hayton scored 87 points in 126 appearances. He averaged nearly a point per game in the 2017-18 season and quickly caught the attention of many NHL scouts.

Professional career

Thanks to his great success and skill, Hayton quickly climbed the draft lists and was selected number 5 by the Arizona Coyotes in 2018. Although the club needed more defensemen, they opted for what they believed to be the best talent available and Hayton headed for the desert.

Although expectations were high, Hayton's career did not quite live up to those expectations and it took him a while to adjust to the NHL.

During his career, Hayton was loaned to various teams, including the Canadian U20 World Junior Championship team Tucson Roadrunners and, for a short time, Finnish Liiga club Ilves, to further his development.

But there is a reason why Hayton opted out of the organization and is now scheduled to play center alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz.

Related topics: NHL releases planned lineups for Utah Hockey Club

In 2022, head coach André Tourigny put together a line of Keller, Hayton and Schmaltz, giving the young center his first real chance, and he did not disappoint. This season, he set career highs in goals (19), assists (24) and points (43). This change also gave teammate Clayton Keller a career-high in the same offensive categories.

Hayton was selected as number 5 for a reason. He is a very talented center with a great wrist shot, great coordination and solid vision that allows him to create opportunities for others.

Despite a dip in performance last season due to multiple injuries, this contract extension is an opportunity for Hayton to consistently play at a similar level in the 2022-23 season. Alongside Keller and Schmaltz, Hayton could once again set career highs and establish himself as a long-term type of player in that front line.

Follow Utah hockey players on social media

Fans can follow Hayton on his X and Instagram accounts here.

Utah Hockey Schedule

Fans can watch Hayton's first game with the Utah Hockey Club on October 8th against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. Click here for the full schedule.

Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Stay up to date here on X. You can hear Cole's analysis of the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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